Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-08-07

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash back in Cyprus, weighs Geneva talks, Clinton report.

[02] Turkey set to send water to occupied areas on tankers.

[03] Ecevit comments on independent, separate "TRNC", Denktash on "logical solution".

[04] Serdar Denktash replies to criticism.

[05] Ecevit comments on the "TRNC".

[06] Turkish Cypriots to visit Kokkina by sea on 8 August.

[07] Turkish President to discuss Cyprus with US President.

[08] Ertugruloglu interviewed on Geneva talks.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash back in Cyprus, weighs Geneva talks, Clinton report

Denktash, who returned to the occupied areas, made a statement noting that detailed talks were held in Geneva, and the Turkish Cypriot team conducted good and determined work.

Denktash noted that during his contacts he received a message to the effect that "the solution of the problem will be based on two states, and there are things that we and the Greek Cypriot side must do to this end".

Denktash remarked that the Greek Cypriot press reported that President Clerides threatened and blackmailed the Americans and the British, saying "if this is the course to be pursued, I will not go to New York, I will resign", Denktash went on: If this is correct, we must reflect on why Clerides is doing this. These are Greek Cypriot tactics. They can resort to such blackmail, threats, and means of pressure in order to achieve what they want. What is more, so far this method has served them well. I believe that this time everyone realizes and understands that the matter is very serious, that the Turkish Cypriot side if very determined, that it is impossible to resolve the problem by pulling down the flag of an existing state and behaving as though this state does not exist, and that this is not compatible with justice and fairness".

Denktash recounted that the Turkish Cypriots will prepare for the talks in September, adding that after resting for a few days, he will meet with party leaders and union members to discuss with them the Geneva talks as well as the "internal situation in the country".

Pointing out that those who wish to reach a conciliation should lift the embargoes, Denktash said that the Turkish Cypriot stand consists of establishing "good-neighbour relations" and bridges of cooperation and reach an agreement by presenting a single Cyprus vis-a-vis the world. Denktash underlined that this will be a very big concession and a manifestation of a peaceful attitude in terms of the Turkish Cypriots.

Referring to US President Bill Clinton/s latest report on Cyprus, Denktash said that the report speaks of a "bizonal and bicommunal federation". This is wrong, Denktash remarked, adding that he regrets the report.

Recalling that he agreed to go to Geneva because agreement was reached to conduct talks without preconditions, Denktash stated: "The fact that Clinton included in his report a formula, which one of the sides appears to want, but which in fact it clearly does not want, is tantamount to taking sides". Denktash noted that this may have been done because of the elections in the United States, and expressed regret in this regard.

[02] Turkey set to send water to occupied areas on tankers

Kamil said they started a project in 1998 to transport water from Turkey to the "TRNC" using balloons but then the company which undertook the project failed to fulfill its responsibilities and they sent a warning to the company for the cancellation of the project.

There will be a new bidding for water transportation with tankers, he said and added that works at loading and unloading facilities have already been completed.

Kamil told illegal Bayrak television (BRT) that they have not given up the water pipeline project which will transport potable water, tap water and water for irrigation purposes from Turkey to the "TRNC". He said their real purpose was to implement the water pipeline project between Turkey and the "TRNC".

[03] Ecevit comments on independent, separate "TRNC", Denktash on "logical solution".

Mr. Denktash had a meeting in Turkey with Mr. Ecevit during which he briefed the Turkish Prime Minister on the Geneva talks. Denktash explained that it was a difficult period, however, he said, they did not lose anything from their cause.

Denktash added: "The concept that the Cyprus solution should be based on the principle of two states is more and more accepted. There is no other logical solution. For this reason, a guaranteed agreement, which is what you and I want and which will assure the future of our people, can be reached through negotiations. We are exerting efforts to secure such an agreement. We should not act hastily; however, we should also not lose time".

[04] Serdar Denktash replies to criticism

Serdar Denktash asserted that the priority today should be to solve the economic problems. This is not the time to discuss the "presidential system" he said, adding: it should be discussed when the dust settles.

Serdar Denktash stressed that he never accused the signatories to the campaign "this country is ours" of being pro-Greek Cypriot. However, he said, he doubts the wisdom of submitting these signatures to the UN officials while the Cyprus talks are being conducted. Serdar Denktash also criticised the remark in the signed document which says that the Turkish Cypriots want to join the EU.

Serdar Dentkash stated that he is open to the proposal for early "elections", adding that he is after serving the country, not after the post itself.

Meanwhile, the National Unity Party (UBP) has announced that whatever the cost, it will continue to protect the "TRNC" against "Greek-Greek Cypriot imperialism and its supporters". UBP Secretary General Guner Goktug issued a statement saying that by hiding behind the innocent-looking "this country is ours" campaign, the CTP and the Patriotic Unity Movement "YBH" are trying to drag the country toward an obvious end.

Goktug called on the CTP and the YBH to withdraw the letter they sent to UN Secretary General Annan where they complain of the Turkish Cypriot people and Turkey. Goktug urged the secretaries general of the two parties to call on Annan to recognize the "TRNC" for a lasting and viable peace on the island.

[05] Ecevit comments on the "TRNC"

Cetin writes that when he asked Ecevit about the latest developments in the "TRNC" and the "Technocrats Government" formula said to have come up at the latest National Security Council (MGK) meeting, the Turkish Prime Minister reacted by saying: "This is definitely not so. The impression is being created that a technocratic government was discussed at the MGK meeting. There definitely was no reference to it all. Such a government is only possible if it is proposed by the "TRNC" parliament. But we did not even discuss it amongst ourselves. Nothing was said for or against that issue".

When Cetin asked whether the internal bickering and chaos during the ongoing Geneva talks does not weaken the "TRNC/s", position and negotiating power, Ecevit replied that it does, adding: "But there are those who incite this. The publications of that AVRUPA newspaper cannot be stomached. Of course there are specific goals behind presenting the "TRNC" as weak just when the Geneva talks are being held and the existence of two separate states in Cyprus is being stressed. But these problems will be solved within a democratic process. Actually the "TRNC" has a good democracy. The important thing is that this economic potential and the aid from Turkey should be utilised well. We are showing sensitivity on this issue".

Cetin also asked whether additional aid was on the agenda.

Mr. Ecevit said that "State Minister for economic affairs Recep Onal, State Minister for Cyprus affairs Sukru Sina Gurel, and the Central Bank are currently looking into the situation in Cyprus. The TRNC government has also prepared a draft program, it is being examined, and a result could be reached within the coming days."

Cetin also reported on a letter Eroglu sent to the Turkish Prime Minister. Ecevit said that Eroglu "wants us to organize a meeting. This is right, but such a meeting will be incomplete with Denktash away at Geneva. We must wait for the return of Denktash. That is, I have not intentionally delayed my reply, such a thing would not even cross my mind. What is more, Mr. Eroglu himself was here recently, just prior to the latest incidents."

Asked whether there is tension with Mr. Eroglu the Turkish Premier said that "there is no tension but we do have our arguments. And they are mostly related to the economy".

[06] Turkish Cypriots to visit Kokkina by sea on 8 August

The paper reports that the Greek Cypriots do not allow the 800 Turkish Cypriots to go to Kokkina by land as a retaliation to the moving forward of the watchman towers in Strovilia village.

The paper also adds that the Greek Cypriots will not go to the Apostolos Andreas Monastery on August 15 for a prayer.

[07] Turkish President to discuss Cyprus with US President

Sezer will hold bilateral talks with the leaders of important Western countries and the Turkic Republics during the summit. The paper reports that Sezer/s request for an audience with President Clinton during the Millennium Summit has been received favourably. It is being said that the Sezer-Clinton rendezvous will be treated as an official visit. Foreign Ministry officials have stated they expect the Cyprus issue, which will be on the table at the summit, to be discussed at the Sezer-Clinton rendezvous. The paper adds that as the Sezer-Clinton meeting directly precedes the fourth round of (proximity) talks, which will take place in the second half of September, the signs are that the Cyprus question is going to be one of the key items on the agenda.

[08] Ertugruloglu interviewed on Geneva talks

"If an answer is needed to a question on whether common ground for direct talks were secured at this stage, I have to say that a common ground has not been found".

Asked whether the talks can be described as successful in terms of the Turkish Cypriot side", Ertugruloglu said: "I would like to stress that both sides are free to lay on the negotiation table any issue they want. Consequently, there are no restrictions and no framework while the process is under way. It is for this reason that the "TRNC" is participating in this process. In addition, we have been constantly raising our confederation proposal within the framework of the indirect talks since August 1998, when we first made it known to the international community. The issue, which we maintain, explain, and insist upon is that an agreement between the sides can be secured in Cyprus only if it is based on a confederation. We are continuing to explain this issue. No official has made any approaches and told us that we do not have the right to place a confederation proposal on the table. We, therefore, continued to participate in the talks".

Asked whether he has positive feelings about the New York talks, he said that an assessment will be conducted in Nicosia. "We will conduct an assessment into our present situation, future probabilities, and the dangers we may have to face. The point we stress, however, is the following: a confederation solution is the last chance for securing a conciliation between the two sides in Cyprus."

/SK

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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